Psalm 33:6 - Starry host

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
     their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

I am going on vacation, so I won't be posting for a while, I hope to see many visions of the beauty of God's creation!

Lord, thank you for time to relax and rejuvenate. Please help me to keep you in my heart and mind. Amen.

Psalm 32:5 - Acknowledging sin

Then I acknowledged my sin to you

     and did not cover up my iniquity.

 I said, “I will confess

     my transgressions to the Lord.”

 And you forgave

     the guilt of my sin.
Acknowledging our sin is the first step toward forgiveness. We don't always see our sin. Sometimes it is just a habit or a way we have always conducted ourselves. It doesn't occur to us that it is wrong. I think we can be forgiven even if we don't know or acknowledge each sin, but if we pray to God to show us our sin, he will. Then we can know the areas we need to correct.

Lord, thank you for loving us and forgiving us. Please help us to see our sin and acknowledge it to you. Amen.

Psalm 31:19 - Good things

How abundant are the good things
     that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
     on those who take refuge in you.

God has plans and blessings for us. That doesn't mean we won't have hard times, but God wants to bestow good things upon us. When we fear God and take refuge in him, he will bless us. The good times seem better and the bad times don't seem as bad when we rely on God. Those around us will notice and it will be a witness for God.

Lord, thank you for the good things you have stored up for us. Please help us to fear you and take refuge in you. Amen.

Psalm 30:11-12 - Wailing into dancing

You turned my wailing into dancing;
     you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
     Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Just yesterday I heard three stories of tragic things which happened in people's lives, but this tragic thing produced a gift. None of us want to go through hard times, but God can use anything for his good. He takes our pain and transforms it into a blessing we could never have imagined.

Lord, thank you for using our pain in a beautiful way. Please help us to see the beauty you have created. Amen.

Psalm 29:4 - Hearing the voice of the Lord

The voice of the Lord is powerful;
     the voice of the Lord is majestic.

Do you have trouble hearing the voice of the Lord? How is that possible when it is so powerful and majestic? But it can be hard to hear God amidst all the other noise in our lives. God's volume is sufficient, but we may have to eliminate other noises or "tune in" to him. Here are some tips:

1. In Jesus name, ask to hear his voice, then listen. Really. Ok, it may not be an audible voice, but you will hear him speak into your heart and mind.
2. If you feel like you are hard of hearing, in Jesus name, ask him to repeat it three times. You may get messages from friends, sermons, the radio, TV, movies or social media, but if you hear something three times and it strikes a chord in your heart, pay attention. 
3. This kind of goes back to number one, but in Jesus name, ask God to show you what he wants you to hear, then read the Bible. Any where will do. Seriously. God will use that passage to speak to you.
4. Have you noticed the phrase "in Jesus name" attached to each request of God. This comes from John 16:23b-24. Asking in Jesus name is powerful!

Lord, thank you for your powerful, majestic voice. In Jesus name, please help us to hear you. Amen.

Psalm 28:7 - Amen

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
     and with my song I praise him.

Amen.

Psalm 28:3 - Behind their back

Do not drag me away with the wicked,
     with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors
     but harbor malice in their hearts.

I am too easily swayed by the opinions of people around me. When someone is talking negatively about a person, I may join in the negative talk. If I do, when I see that person it is so hard for me to look them in the eye and treat them with respect. In one sense it is good, it is hard for me to "speak cordially but harbor malice." But, I don't have to worry about this if I don't talk bad about people in the first place.

Lord, thank you for the wisdom of your word. Lord help me to only speak and think kind thoughts about people. Amen.

Psalm 28:2 - Call for help

Hear my cry for mercy
     as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands
     toward your Most Holy Place.

The last couple of weeks and this upcoming week at work are challenging due to the number of hours I am working. I need help and I know who to ask. God will provide me with the strength, endurance, energy, and patience I will need to get through the next eight day.

Lord, thank you for being a source of help for us. Please help me be the best employee I can be over the next eight days. Amen.

Psalm 27:13 - There is good

I remain confident of this:
     I will see the goodness of the Lord
     in the land of the living.

In these dark days, it is hard to see the good, but it is there. Look for it. Focus on it. Use it to fuel more good.

Lord, thank you for your goodness. Please help us to see that goodness and to share it with others. Amen.

Psalm 27:4 - Eternity now

One thing I ask from the Lord,
     this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
     all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
     and to seek him in his temple.

A reoccurring theme in my life currently is the idea that as a follower of God, I am in heaven right now, My eternal life has begun. Heaven is dwelling in the house of the Lord, and I do. I can talk to him any time I want to and I can hear and understand the answers he gives to me. I can gaze upon the beauty of his creation and because he is everywhere, I do not have to seek too hard to find him. He even lives inside of me!

Lord, thank you for allowing us to be with you now. Help us to realize that our eternity with you has begun and to feel the joy and peace this brings. Amen.

Psalm 26:2 - Test me

Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;

Wow. That is a bold thing to ask. "Test me, Lord." I don't think I have ever asked God to test me. Usually I am asking for peace and comfort. The purpose of a test is to check our knowledge and understanding, to confirm we have learned the lessons presented to us. It also shows us where we are weak and need to improve. I feel pretty mature and strong in my faith. Is it time for a test?

Lord, thank you for bringing me to my current level of faith. Please test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and mind. Amen.

Psalm 25:17 - Help

Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.

God knows what is troubling us. He knows what our current struggles are. He hears us when we cry to him. And he can do something about it. Yesterday I was speaking with a friend and we talked about the sword of the Spirit, which is the Bible, and how it is our weapon against our struggles and temptations, By studying the Word, we are strengthening our weapon. We have to carefully wield this weapon and sometimes the Words will be for us to keep to ourselves and sometimes they will be Words to share. Either way his Words are there for us with the Holy Spirit as an interpreter and guide.

Lord, thank you for hearing us and helping us. Please help us to keep your word close to our heart so you can use it to relieve the troubles of our hearts and free us from anguish. Amen.

Psalm 25:4-5 - Teach me

Show me your ways, Lord,
     teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
     for you are God my Savior,
     and my hope is in you all day long.

Being teachable is our responsibility as a Christian. We have to seek knowledge and wisdom from God and be open to his guidance, It is so easy to get in our comfortable rut and rely on what we already know.

Lord, thank you for being willing to teach us. Please help us to be willing to learn. Amen.

Psalm 24:9 - Open up

Lift up your heads, you gates;
     lift them up, you ancient doors,
     that the King of glory may come in.

I really like the imagery in this verse. This verse reminds us that God is sovereign over everything, even the doors. He has limitless dominion. It also reminds us we must all open the door of our hearts and allow God to come in.

Lord, thank you for the beautiful images in your scripture. Please help us to remember you reign supreme and we must allow you into our hearts. Amen.

Psalm 24:1 - Amen

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
     the world, and all who live in it;

Amen.

Psalm 23:4 - Darkest Valley

Even though I walk
     through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
     for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
     they comfort me.

We all walk through dark valleys. There is a vast difference between walking through that valley alone and walking through with God. Alone, we are fearful and anticipating the worst. We can only see the situation from one perspective. Walking with God, we are not alone. We have someone who has been here before and sees everything. We have a guide and a friend. The tighter we cling to his had, the safer we will be.

Lord, thank you for guiding us through the darkest valleys. Please help us to cling to your hand and listen to your directions. Amen.

Psalm 22:22 - The assembly

I will declare your name to my people;
     in the assembly I will praise you.

Going to church on Sunday morning is one of my favorite things to do. It is an opportunity to worship God and fellowship with other believers. I have to miss sometimes because of work, but I attend every chance I get. It's like going to a family reunion. You are invited to attend church Sunday morning with me and my family at the Webb Chapel Church of Christ. If you can't attend, you are welcome to watch on our live streaming feed. Hope to see you tomorrow morning!

Lord, thank you for your church. Please help us to become a part of your body and work as a part of your kingdom. Amen.

Psalm 22:14 - Tragedy

I am poured out like water,
     and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
     it has melted within me.

Tragedy. That is what happened in Dallas last night. I just want to pray today.

Most Holy, Holy Lord, God Almighty,
Father in heaven, we praise your name.
Please forgive us of our sins.
Please forgive any prejudices we have.
Please forgive any officer who has used excessive force.
Please forgive the shooter or shooters.
Thank you for your comfort and protection during this time of tragedy.
Thank you for police officers who put themselves in danger every day.
Thank you for the freedom we have to publicly demonstrate our beliefs.
In Jesus name, I come to your Lord asking that you heal those who were injured.
Please comfort and protect the families of those injured or who were killed.
Please help us to rid ourselves of prejudice.
Please help us to love everyone, just as you do.
Please use this tragedy for good to bring people closer to you.
Amen,

Psalm 21:6 - The joy of your presence

Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

This verse is speaking to God of a king who has great trust in the Lord. Right now I need joy. I'm letting the stuff of this world cloud my joy in the presence of the Lord. I need to remember the unending blessings God has granted me and put my trust in him, not myself or my possessions (yesterday's verse is still working on me). "The joy of the Lord is my strength!" (Neh. 8:10)

Lord, thank you for your blessings and the joy your presence gives us. Please help us to be glad with that joy and trust only in you. Amen.

Psalm 20:7 - It's a matter of trust

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

How do you determine if something is an idol in your life? Can you live without it? Is this where you go when you are having trouble? Is this your "place" of safety and security? Does the comfort and feeling it offers satisfy you like nothing else? The only thing deserving this level of adoration in our lives is God. Our trust needs to lie only in him.

Lord, thank you for offering us yourself as the perfect subject of worship and adoration. Please help us to recognize the idols in our lives and to remove them from their pedestals. Amen.

Psalm 19:1 - Sky watching

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands.

Today is July 4th, Independence Day. As so many of us look to the sky watching fireworks, consider how the heavens declare the glory of the Lord.

Lord, thank you for your magnificent creation. Please help us to see your glory proclaimed in all the earth. Amen.

Psalm 18:37 - Pursue your "sin enemies"!

I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

If our enemy is sin, them the Psalms give a great deal of good advice for dealing with sin. This passage states we pursue our enemies and overtake them. I have always thought of fighting sin as a passive thing, simple avoidance. But this verse suggests we take it head on! Go after our sin and defeat it! Honestly it has never occurred to me to be aggressive towards the removal of sin in my life. We don't just have to be on the defense, we can be on the offense. We are not weak, we are strong with the strength of the Lord!!

Lord, thank you for giving us revelations and "AHA!" moments from your word. Please help us to purse our "sin enemies" and defeat them. Amen.